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If you don’t use it, you lose it. Unless you’re fortunate enough to travel to find snow or have access to a glacier throughout the summer months, it’s easy to lose your edge. Instead of beginning next season with a major skill deficit, our skiing experts recommend routine training and relevant skill building even when you’re miles away from the nearest mountain. Off-season ski training is great for your health, improves motor skills, and will prevent the majority of injuries that may come with a long break between ski seasons.
So, what can you do to maintain your skiing skills no matter the weather? Even if you’re in the midst of the winter season, these tips are still relevant to you. Take a look at our top 3 ideas for maintaining peak performance, and get ready to hit the slopes with confidence next season.
1. Routine Training is the Easiest Way to Stay Sharp
Since skiing and snowboarding require very specific muscle group engagement, it’s easy to lose the required strength, flexibility, and agility. Whether you’re hoping to maintain your endurance for longer cruisers, or you’re after additional joint health to safely land jumps, an exercise routine designed around ski-related conditioning and strengthening should be a year-round priority.
If you’re a beginner, added strength and functional mobility will make the entire learning process easier and prevent common injuries. If you’re intermediate or advanced, regular conditioning and dynamic exercises simulate on-the-mountain activities and prevent slow season starts. Whatever level you’re at, your regular training program should include:
- Cardiovascular & Interval Training
- Leg, Core, & Upper Body Strengthening
- Flexibility & Balance Training
- If Possible, Exercise at Altitude to Maintain Conditioning
2. Dust Off the Skis & Practice at Home
Just because there’s no snow doesn’t mean you can’t work on your technique. If you’re new to the sport, you can practice side-stepping, getting in and out of your bindings while wearing men’s snow pants, and begin practicing your pole-placement timing. There’s really no limit to the types of techniques you can try at home; you can practice small jumps, switching from regular stance to goofy (when your skis are facing backward), and tricky chairlift techniques by getting up and down from a chair without losing your balance.
3. Learn From the Professionals
There’s an online video tutorial for virtually anything you can think of or you can work with a personal trainer to improve on every ski technique under the sun. While previewing how the professionals perform tighter turns, softer landings, and maintain proper body alignment, take note of their subtle weight shifts, pole placements, and stances that result in methodical and efficient maneuvering.
After studying how the pros perform the best moves on the mountain, our men's and women’s ski equipment will have you looking like the experts too. The Ski Bums are ski aficionados that live and breathe the latest advancements in ski equipment, and are your go-to resource whenever you need quality gear, solid skiing tips, or anything else to prepare for your next mountain adventure!
